Halt in procurement of repair supplies indicated
Untangling the Hurdles: The Cebu City Council has snubbed a draft motion to swiftly procure necessary materials for the repair of the Pulangbato Bridge. This decision was made during a regular council meeting, despite earlier declaring a state of emergency for the area.
Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, the majority floor leader, raised concerns regarding the proposed emergency procurement. She recalls an incident where similar measures led to penalties against former mayor Michael Rama, further emphasizing the potential perilous position city officials may find themselves in.
The concern springs from a recent dismissal order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman against Rama, along with members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), over allegations of grave misconduct2. These claims centered around three purchase orders for garbage collection and disposal services that were awarded sans public bidding2.
Pesquera doubted an emergency procurement would be wise, stating, "As to having it on an emergency procurement, I believe it will put us in a difficult situation in the future."
In contrast to the critical situation encountered after Typhoon Odette in 2021, when immediate action was imperative for garbage collection, discussions regarding the bridge predicament have been protracted, with two executive sessions already held by the council4. However, responses from the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) have been lacking, according to Pesquera.
Fearing that the inclusion of the emergency procurement clause in the state of emergency declaration could prompt the DEPW to bypass standard procedures and council oversight without submitting a Program of Work and Estimates (POWE), she warned, "If we will have it on emergency purchase, granting that they will follow our resolution and they will make a shortcut considering that there is already a resolution from the Council, then maybe they will no longer submit to the Council the POWE."
City councilor Joel Garganera, head of the committee on disaster, proposed a resolution to declare a state of emergency in Barangay Pulangbato and enable the DEPW to expedite the construction of the reinforced deck girder bridge. However, he agreed to eliminate the emergency procurement provision from the resolution following Pesquera's concerns and pending clarification from the Committee on Infrastructure4.
With the council's wariness towards budgetary matters and proper procurement procedures, it appears that hurdles remain before the much-needed repair of the Pulangbato Bridge can be effectively addressed.
- Despite declaring a state of emergency for the Pulangbato Bridge repair, the Cebu City Council rejected a motion for emergency procurement of necessary materials.
- Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera expressed concerns about the proposed emergency procurement, citing potential penalties like the dismissal of former mayor Michael Rama over allegations of similar misconduct.
- Pesquera voiced her doubt that an emergency procurement would be beneficial, as it might lead to difficult situations in the future.
- The delayed discussions about the bridge repair contrast with the immediate action needed after Typhoon Odette in 2021 for garbage collection.
- City councilor Joel Garganera proposed a state of emergency declaration for Barangay Pulangbato and the construction of the reinforced deck girder bridge, but agreed to remove the emergency procurement provision following Pesquera's concerns and pending clarification from the Committee on Infrastructure.
